2008 Israeli bus crash
Encyclopedia
The 2008 Israeli bus crash was a road accident in southern Israel
on 16 December 2008 in which a coach carrying Russian tour operators left the road and plunged into a ravine, killing 25. It is the deadliest traffic accident
in Israel's history.
was carrying 60 passengers, a group of Russian tour operators from St Petersburg from Ovda International Airport
to the holiday resort of Eilat. The accident occurred when the bus driver, Edward Gelfond, attempted to overtake another bus on a steep, winding stretch of the road. The bus crashed through the roadside safety barrier and fell 60 metres down a slope, turning over several times.
It was initially reported that 24 passengers had died, though the figure later rose to 25. Another 33 people were hurt, including 23 in serious condition, and taken to Soroka Medical Center
in Beersheba
, Yoseftal Medical Center
in Eilat and Hadassah Medical Center
in Jerusalem.
stated that there was a dispute between the two drivers and that the accident "was the result of the drivers' thuggery." However, the second bus driver Rami Vazana has claimed there was no dispute, and that Gelford has just been attempting to overtake him. Israel Police
have stated that it is too soon to place the blame on a dispute between the two bus drivers. It was later revealed that Gelford had 22 prior traffic convictions, whilst initial reports suggested that he was speeding at the time of the accident, claims which Gelford denied. Investigators discovered that the coach's tachograph
was missing the disc used to record speed.
Gelford was arrested immediately after being released from hospital. On 14 July 2009 he was charged manslaughter.
conveyed condolences to the victims' families. A special emergency hotline began operating at the Jewish community center in St. Petersburg, and the Jewish Agency contacted the Russian embassy in Israel and offered to provide whatever assistance required by the families. The Foreign Ministry and the Israeli Tourism Ministry began operating a situation room aimed at facilitating the communication with the Russian embassy in Israel and the Russian government. Two Russian government planes took off to Israel, one carrying the victims' families and the other carrying doctors, medical equipment, psychologists and rescue teams.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
on 16 December 2008 in which a coach carrying Russian tour operators left the road and plunged into a ravine, killing 25. It is the deadliest traffic accident
Car accident
A traffic collision, also known as a traffic accident, motor vehicle collision, motor vehicle accident, car accident, automobile accident, Road Traffic Collision or car crash, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other stationary obstruction,...
in Israel's history.
The crash
The coachCoach (vehicle)
A coach is a large motor vehicle, a type of bus, used for conveying passengers on excursions and on longer distance express coach scheduled transport between cities - or even between countries...
was carrying 60 passengers, a group of Russian tour operators from St Petersburg from Ovda International Airport
Ovda International Airport
Ovda Airport , is a military and civilian airport in Israel, and the country's second international airport, located in the south of the country about north of the city of Eilat...
to the holiday resort of Eilat. The accident occurred when the bus driver, Edward Gelfond, attempted to overtake another bus on a steep, winding stretch of the road. The bus crashed through the roadside safety barrier and fell 60 metres down a slope, turning over several times.
It was initially reported that 24 passengers had died, though the figure later rose to 25. Another 33 people were hurt, including 23 in serious condition, and taken to Soroka Medical Center
Soroka Medical Center
Soroka Medical Center is a hospital in Beersheba, Israel. It is the largest medical center in southern region of the country, and the fourth largest in Israel with approximately 1000 beds. It is owned by Clalit, the largest Health Maintenance Organization in Israel. Soroka services diverse ethnic...
in Beersheba
Beersheba
Beersheba is the largest city in the Negev desert of southern Israel. Often referred to as the "Capital of the Negev", it is the seventh-largest city in Israel with a population of 194,300....
, Yoseftal Medical Center
Yoseftal Medical Center
Yoseftal Medical Center is a hospital in Eilat, Israel.Yoseftal Hospital, founded in 1968, is the southernmost hospital in Israel and the only hospital covering the southern Negev desert. It is named after Giora Yoseftal. It is Israel's smallest general hospital with 65 beds...
in Eilat and Hadassah Medical Center
Hadassah Medical Center
Hadassah Medical Center is a medical organization that operates two University hospitals at Ein Kerem and Mount Scopus in Jerusalem, Israel, as well as schools of medicine, dentistry, nursing, and pharmacology affiliated with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.The hospital was founded by Hadassah,...
in Jerusalem.
Cause
Gelford, who survived the crash, claimed that something fell on him, causing him to lose control, though Minister of Transport and Road Safety Shaul MofazShaul Mofaz
Lt. General Shaul Mofaz is an Israeli politician who serves as the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs And Defense Committee at the Knesset...
stated that there was a dispute between the two drivers and that the accident "was the result of the drivers' thuggery." However, the second bus driver Rami Vazana has claimed there was no dispute, and that Gelford has just been attempting to overtake him. Israel Police
Israel Police
The Israel Police is the civilian police force of Israel. As with most other police forces in the world, its duties include crime fighting, traffic control, maintaining public safety, and counter-terrorism...
have stated that it is too soon to place the blame on a dispute between the two bus drivers. It was later revealed that Gelford had 22 prior traffic convictions, whilst initial reports suggested that he was speeding at the time of the accident, claims which Gelford denied. Investigators discovered that the coach's tachograph
Tachograph
A tachograph is a device fitted to a vehicle that automatically records its speed and distance, together with the driver's activity selected from a choice of modes. The drive mode is activated automatically when the vehicle is in motion, and modern tachograph heads usually default to the other work...
was missing the disc used to record speed.
Gelford was arrested immediately after being released from hospital. On 14 July 2009 he was charged manslaughter.
Reaction
Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, expressed sorrow over the "horrific outcome". He and Foreign Minister Tzipi LivniTzipi Livni
Tzipporah Malkah "Tzipi" Livni is an Israeli lawyer and politician. She is the current Israeli Opposition Leader and leader of Kadima, the largest party in the Knesset. Raised an ardent nationalist, Livni has become one of her nation's leading voices for the two-state solution. In Israel she has...
conveyed condolences to the victims' families. A special emergency hotline began operating at the Jewish community center in St. Petersburg, and the Jewish Agency contacted the Russian embassy in Israel and offered to provide whatever assistance required by the families. The Foreign Ministry and the Israeli Tourism Ministry began operating a situation room aimed at facilitating the communication with the Russian embassy in Israel and the Russian government. Two Russian government planes took off to Israel, one carrying the victims' families and the other carrying doctors, medical equipment, psychologists and rescue teams.